Hello,
Many uncertainties have been brought about because of the new government changes to the laws that came into affect June 19th, 2025 on obtaining citizenship which require 10 yrs of residency now rather than previously 5yrs. It is unclear at this time how the government will implement these laws and whether they will make exceptions to those already residing in Portugal and those who are in the pipeline already fulfilling obligations. It is not looking good however for everyone basically all of us who has any category of D visas, including those with Golden Visas who have already begun the time requirement to fulfill the 5 yr commitment. The changes may be blanketed to everyone across the board without exceptions which would be catastrophic for those of us who had made plans to live long term in Portugal. Our lawyer said it’s too early since the National Assembly must vote to accept the law and if this passes easily through the chamber without much resistance it has less chances to include exceptions for those to be accredited on the basis of the previous 5 yr rule for time already spend living in the country.
The best possible outcome would be if there is resistance within the various parties in the nation assembly over this law and process then get thought through and exception provided for the various visa holder that have have been fulfilling their duties towards citizenship based on the 5 yr criteria and this is recognized. Because the far right “enough” party has won a large number of seats in the recent elects it’s not looking good there could be any exceptions and everyone currently in the pipeline will have the new 10yr rule applied blanketed to them regarded of your previous number of years residence.
Many uncertainties have been brought about because of the new government changes to the laws that came into affect June 19th, 2025 on obtaining citizenship which require 10 yrs of residency now rather than previously 5yrs. It is unclear at this time how the government will implement these laws and whether they will make exceptions to those already residing in Portugal and those who are in the pipeline already fulfilling obligations. It is not looking good however for everyone basically all of us who has any category of D visas, including those with Golden Visas who have already begun the time requirement to fulfill the 5 yr commitment. The changes may be blanketed to everyone across the board without exceptions which would be catastrophic for those of us who had made plans to live long term in Portugal. Our lawyer said it’s too early since the National Assembly must vote to accept the law and if this passes easily through the chamber without much resistance it has less chances to include exceptions for those to be accredited on the basis of the previous 5 yr rule for time already spend living in the country.
The best possible outcome would be if there is resistance within the various parties in the nation assembly over this law and process then get thought through and exception provided for the various visa holder that have have been fulfilling their duties towards citizenship based on the 5 yr criteria and this is recognized. Because the far right “enough” party has won a large number of seats in the recent elects it’s not looking good there could be any exceptions and everyone currently in the pipeline will have the new 10yr rule applied blanketed to them regarded of your previous number of years residence.
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